Bangalore Days - 2nd Biggest grosser of All time !!

Bangalore Days - 2nd Biggest grosser of All time !!

Bangalore Days finally over took Mayamohini & T20 to reach 2nd spot (from 4th) in the list of all time biggest Malayalam grossers, a table lead by Drishyam which is miles a head. According to latest reports the film has grossed about 25 crores with distributors share crossing 10 crores mark. In the rest of Kerala, Overseas markets also its the 2nd biggest grosser following Drishyam, but the gap here is not as huge as its the case in Kerala, thanks to the presence of subtitle and lack of competition from other language movies. Drishyam had to battle with Dhoom 3, Jilla, Veeram, Jai Ho etc during its Outside Kerala run. BD has crossed Drishyam in Hyderabad, where the film had extraordinary run, and is still playing there, which is unbeleivable. The film has also beaten Drishyam in selected markets outside Kerala like UK. Even though exact reports from other locations are not available according to a leading distributor BD will not be crossing Drishyam considering Rest Of India & Overseas final total. 

The collections for Bangalore Days hit rock bottom during the Ramzan fasting period, but most of the screens chose to continued with the film due to lack of options. But the film has picked up since EID, largely thanks to the not so encouraging reports for EID releases. The film might add couple of more crores to its kitty and wind up under 30 crores.

 With 2 record breakers inside 6 months its booming time for Malayalam films, especially in outside Kerala markets.

Top 5 Grossers

1. Drishyam

2. Bangalore Days*

3. Twenty 20*

4. Maya Mohini

5. Classmates*

* - Multistarers

61st Idea Filmfare Awards (South) - Complete Winners list

61st Idea Filmfare Awards (South) - Complete Winners list

Lifetime Achievement Awards: Late Balu Mahendra, Jayabharathy

Telugu



Best Choreographer Award - VJ Sekhar for Top lesi poddi (Iddarammayilatho)
Best Playback Singer (Female) (Telugu) Award - Chitra: Seethamma Vaakitlo Sirimalle Chettu
Best Playback Singer (Male) (Telugu) Award - Kailash Kher for Pandagala Digivachavu (Mirchi)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Female) (Telugu) Award - Lakshmi Manchu for Gundello Godari
 Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male) (Telugu) Award - Sunil for Tadakha

Best Music Director (Telugu) Award -  Devi Sri Prasad for Attarintiki Daredi
Best Director (Telugu) Award - Trivikram Srinivas for Attarintiki Daredi
Best Film (Telugu) Award - Attarintiki Daredi
Best Actor (Female) (Telugu) Award - Nithya Menen for Gunde Jaari Gallanthayyinde
Best Actor Award (Male) (Telugu) goes to Mahesh Babu for SVSC

Tamil

Best Cinematographer Award - Rajeev Menon (Kadal)
Best Debut (Male) Award - Nivin Pauly (Neram) & Gautham Karthik (Kadal)
Best Debut (Female) Award - Nazariya (Neram)
Best Lyrics (Tamil) Award - Na. Muthukumar for Aananda Yazhai (Thanga Meengal)
Best Playback Singer (Female) (Tamil) Award - Shakthisree Gopalan for Nenjukulla (Kadal)
Best Playback Singer (Male) (Tamil) Award - Sriram Parthasarathy for Anandha Yazhai (Thangameengal)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Female) (Tamil) Award - Dhansika for Paradesi 

Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male) (Tamil) Award goes to Satyaraj for Raja Rani 

Best Music Director (Tamil) Award - AR Rahman (Kadal)

Best Director (Tamil) Award - Bala (Paradesi)

Best Film (Tamil) Award - Thanga Meengal
Critic Award Best Actor (Male) - Dhanush (Maryaan)
Best Actor (Female) (Tamil) Award - Nayantara (Rajarani
Best Actor (Male) - Atharvaa Paradesi

Malayalam

Best Lyrics (Malayalam) Award - Madhu Vasudev for Ottakku Padunna (Nadan)
Best Playback Singer (Female) (Malayalam) Award - Vaikom Vijayalakshmi for Ottakkupadunna (Nadan)
Best Playback Singer (Male) (Malayalam) Award - Vijay Yesudas for Thirayum theeravum (Memories)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Female) (Malayalam) Award - Asha Sarath for Drishyam
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male) (Malayalam) Award - Murali Gopi for Left Right Left

Best Music Director (Malayalam) Award - M Jayachandran for Celluloid
Best Director (Malayalam) Award - Shyamaprasad for Artist
Best Film (Malayalam) Award - Drishyam
Best Actor (Female) (Malayalam) Award - Ann Augustin for Artis
Best Actor (Male) (Malayalam) Award - Fahad Fazil for North 24 Kadam 



Kannada



Best Lyrics (Kannada) Award - Siddu Kodipura for Banalli badalago (Simpallag Ond Love Story)
Best Playback Singer (Female) (Kannada) Award - Sowmya Raoh for Karagida bannalli (Simpallag Ond Love Story
Best Playback Singer (Male) (Kannada) Award - Poorna Chandra Tejasvi for Thinbedaalkammi (Lucia)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Female)  (Kannada) Award - Amulya for Shravani Saubramanya
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male) (Kannada) Award - Achyuth Kumar for Lucia

Best Music Director (Kannada) Award - Arjun Janya for Bhajarangi

Best Director (Kannada) Award - Pawan Kumar for Lucia

Best Film (Kannada) Award - Mynaa

Best Actor (Female) (Kannada) Award - Amulya for Shravani Saubramany
Best Actor (Male) (Kannada) - Prem for Charminar.

Image Credits: Filmfare.com

Drishyam smashing records in Home Video (DVD VCD BluRay) Sales too - Exclusive Update

 (Blu-ray Cover)

 In its 150 days (142 till May 9th, day of Home Video release) theatrical run, Drishyam broke almost every record possible in Malayalam Film Industry & Worldwide Box Office for Malayalam films. The film in fact proved to be a lifeline for m any B, C class theaters who were on the verge of being demolished or turned into auditoriums. The film single handedly revived theaters all across the state, brought audience back to the theaters who we believed were lost and opened new markets outside Kerala.

Now the film is doing the exact same for the Home Video industry since its release last Friday. Thanks to Piracy, Channels, the industry was/is also on the verge of extinction, that's when Drishyam happened. The movie has been in Pre-orde for quite a long time, thanks to the ex excellent theatrical run and within few days of being available for pre-order it was breaking records . Drishyam is the most pre-ordered movie in the history, leading the previous best by a humongous margin (largely thanks to the extended period). The experiences shared by shop owners were also incredible with most shops going sold out by Friday evening, even though they were supplied with more units than usual.

Sending all the pre-order copies were another Himalayan task according to owner of MyIndiaShopping.com
 Blu-Ray sales even surprised 'Central Home Entertainment' who owns the home video license, as they don't have any more copies with them to meet the demands. Remember Bluray format is still in its Infant stages in Kerala especially for Malayalam films, with the best seller selling small numbers only. But Drishyam in 2 days has sold more than 500 copies, many even wanting this to be their inaugural film for their new Bluray system.

Drishyam DVDs are more in demand and like the explosion of Bluray sales, the VCD sales have come down in proportion (still more than any recent releases). Within just 2-3 days its the biggest seller ever in the history of Malayalam cinema beating films like Pazhassi Raja, Urumi etc. All these fete, with Piracy ruling the roost, as the pirated copies of even BluRay was available within hours of its release.

 Scene outside a Shop

DVD (India) Cover

DVD (Overseas) Cover

 Flex/Banner outside a shop

Blu-Ray Inlay

Blu-Ray Inlay& Disc

Image Credits to Copyright Owners & Uploaders

Kerala Vishu/April Box Office - Exclusive Report

Kerala Vishu/April Box Office - Exclusive Report

7 Days has passed in Mollywood's biggest season, Summer Vacations and its time to have a look into how the movies have been performing at the Box Office.


1. 7th Day

We have a surprise entry at No.1. The film opened to a superb response, especially in main cities, beyond all expectations. 7th Day leads the Vishu releases (as of now) despite the film not belonging to mass entertainer genre, which audience used to prefer on Holidays. The last 2 thrillers Prithvi did worked on long run and WOM and didn't have an opening to boas off. 7th Day took the best opening for a Prithvi starrer.

Gross: 5.15 crores in 8 days
Superb Opening, Marching towards Super Hit

2. Ring Master

Dileep's Mass sumer vacation entertainer aimed at Ladies and Kids didn't take a grand opening, but the status has remained even through out without major drop either.

Gross: 4.58 crores in 8 days
Good Opening, Marching towards a Hit

3. Gangster

After a terrific opening the film fell badly like a pack of cards at Box Office. The film was removed from most of its stations within 6/7 days.

Gross: 3.95 crores in 9 days
Great first day, fell after wards - Disaster

4. Pauly Technique

The film took an average opening, and with average WOM future doesn't look much good for Pauly and his Techniques.

Gross: 2.65 crores in 8 days
Above Average

5. Ohm Shanthi Oshaana & Drishyam 

Still Continuing their blistering run in selected main centers and in many B & C class centers.

Mega Hit & All Time Blockbuster

6. Maan Karate

The film got an almost free week as Summer releases were pushed to 1th due to elections. The film was bought for a meagre prize and collected many times that amount. Film performed beyond expectations and many theaters chose the film to continue for a 2nd and 3rd week.

Gross: about 85 lakhs in 15 days

Hit


1 By Two *ing Fahadh Faasil was released this pat Friday (April 19th) to an average opening and below average WOM. So looks like that won't make any difference to the tally. Last Friday of April will 3 releases
Dulquer-Nazriya's Samsaram Arogyahtinu Hanikaram, Indrajith's Masala republic and Allu Arjun's Lucky The Racer [Race Gurram]



PS: The figures are approximate values and may not necessarily be actuals

Kerala Box Office First Quarter 2014 - Exclusive Report

Kerala Box Office First Quarter 2014 - Exclusive Report

Like 2013 it has been a slow start for Malayalam Film Industry in 2014. 2 of the biggest earners of the 1st quarter of this year are 2013 Hold Overs [meaning released in 2013, no the other HO]. So lets look at the top 5 performances at Kerala Box Office in the first 4 months of 2014.

1. Drishyam

Undoubtedly the film that grossed most in 2014 from Kerala Box Office is Drishyam. Releasing on Dec 19th, the majority of the film's total gross came this year. In Outside Kerala, Overseas markets too the film had extraordinary run in 2014.

Kerala Gross: 41 crores (Approx) Worldwide: 60 crores (approx)

All Time Mega Blockbuster

2. Ohm Shanthi Oshaana

The biggest hit amongst 2014 releases so far.

Kerala Gross: 10 crores (approx) Rest of India 1 core+

Mega Hit

3. 1983

Cricket based movie did exceedingly well and made Nivin Pauly part of 2 successful films in 2014.

HIT

Kerala Gross: 7.25 crores

4. Oru Indian Pranayakatha

Released on December 20, 2013 the film worked due to Fahad Faasil's impressive performance, his chemistry with Amala Paul & Sathyan Anthikkadu brand

Super Hit

Kerala Gross: 9 crores (approx)

5. Jilla

The Presence of Mohanlal even though helped the film to take the biggest opening ever for any movie in the state, the very same became the factor that pulled down the movie in the following days, as most of the Audience felt that Mohanlal was made to play a second fiddle to Vijay, only to boost up his character.

Hit

Distributors Share: 3.60 crore (approx)

44th Kerala State Film Awards 2013-14 - Complete Winners List

44th Kerala State Film Awards 2013-14 - Complete Winners List

    J.C. Daniel Award (for outstanding contributions to Malayalam cinema):
    Best Film: CR No 89
    Second Best Film: North 24 Kaatham
    Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value: Drishyam
    Best Children's Film:Philips & the monkeypen

    Best Director:Shyamaprasad (Artist)
    Best Debut Director: KR Manoj


    Best Actor: Fahadh Faasil (Artist, North 24 Kaatham) & Lal (Ayaal, Zakhariyayude Garbhinigal)
    Best Actress: Ann Augustine (Artist)
    Second Best Actor: Ashok Kumar (Cr No. 89)
    Second Best Actress: Lena (Left Right Left, Ayaal)
    Best Child Artist:  Sanoop Santosh (Philips & the monkeypen) Baby Anigha (Sethulakshmi in 5 sundarikal)
Best Comedy Actor : Suraj (Daivathinte Swantham Cleetus, Pullipuliyum Aatinkuttiyum)


    Best Story: Aneesh Anwar (Zakariyayude Garbinikal)
    Best Screenplay: Bobby-Sanjay (Mumbai Police)

    Best Lyrics:  Prabha Varma, Madhu Vasudev
    Best Music : Ouseppachan (Nadan - Ottaku padunna)
    Best Background Music Director: Bijibal (Balyakalasakhi)
    Best Male Playback Singer: Karthik (Orissa)
    Best Female Playback Singer: Vaikkom Vijayalakshmi (Nadan - Ottaku padunna)

    Best Cinematography: Sujith Vasudev (Memories& Ayal )
    Best Film Editor: Rajagopal (Oru Indian Pranayakadtha)
    Best Art Director: M Bava (Amen)
    Best Sound Recordist: Harikumar
    Best Colorist: Raghuraman, Riya Digital
    Best Makeup Artist: Pattanam Rasheed
    Best Costume Designer: Siji Thomas (Amen)
    Best Dubbing Artist: Sreeja Ravi
    Best Choreography: Kumar Shanthi

    Best Sound Editor: Harikumar Madhavan Nair, N Harikumar

 Jury's Special Mention 

Afzal Yousuf (God for Sale, Emmanuel)
Suresh Unnithan (Ayaal)
Mridula Warrier (Kalimannu - Laalee)
 Aneesh Anwar (Zakariyayude Garbinikal)
Kalabhavan Shajon (Drishyam)
Sanusha (Zakariyayude Garbinikal)
Rojin Thomas and Shanil Mohammed (Zakariyayude Garbinikal)
Vijay Babu, Sandra Thomas (Philips & Monkey Pen)

    Best Documentary:  
    Best Book on Cinema: 
    Best Article on Cinema:

Full Updates coming sooon

Drishyam - Magnificent 100 Days - Exclusive Report

 So finally the day is here, 100th day since the film that changed Malayalam film industry for good hit the screens. Released on December 19th as a small scale family film for Christmas - New Year season in now, after 3+ months, 100 days, entering the Summer holidays season. As they big things do come in small packages. The difference between Drishyam and all the all time blockbusters of recent times in other languages is that its purely the victory of good old 'Word of Mouth'. It didn't trend on twitter before release, it still has only 50k likes in Facebook, the trailer songs didn't go viral in YouTube, but most importantly it delivered where it had to, at the Box Office, and that too in style. Everything about the movie was low key, not even 1% of extra gimmicks for commercial purpose. Even the director before release its a small simple family thriller. But boy, he did had a trump car under his sleeves.

Drishyam  today celebrates 100 days @ about 50 centers, which is about twice the number of theaters the previous best, Thenkashipattanam, had. But it was before the era of wide releases & Multiplexes, in which Ordinary did 100 in 1/4th or 1/5th the no. of screens. Plus the film is running is 25 odd other theaters including B, C class and late release A class making it a total of 75 theaters. Plus it wil lhit 100 in Chennai & Coimbatore. Its still running in Pune, Oman, Abu Dhabi.

Drishyam is the first Malayalam film to gross 25, 30, 35 crores from Kerala. The Kerala gross is about 38.50 crore in 100 days with a distributor share of over 16 crores. The Rest Of India gross is estimated to be around 11 crore mark The film also had tremendous run in overseas, especially USA, UK, UAE, where it grossed about 9+ crores. Within a few days the film will become the first Malayalam film to enter the 50crore club (India alone) and 60 crore club (Worldwide). The film which beat the record of 'Twenty 20' being the biggest grosser ever, in just 30 days, is also doing great business in Home Video Pre-Order sales.

The played more than 24, 000 shows in theaters across Kerala, which is 9,000 more than the previous best Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja.Rest of India show count is about 3200 and overseas show count of about 1000-1500. making it close to 29 K shows worldwide. 

So lets take a moment to celebrate the work of Team Drishyam and shower all the accolades on them that we could possibly get.
  

Crew

 Directed by     Jeethu Joseph
Produced by     Antony Perumbavoor
Written by     Jeethu Joseph
Music by     Anil Johnson
Vinu Thomas
Cinematography     Sujith Vaassudev
Editing by     Ayoob Khan
Studio     Aashirvad Cinemas
Distributed by     Aashirvad Release Through Maxlab

Designs Collins Leophil

Cast

Mohanlal as Georgekutty
Meena as Rani George
AnsibaH as san as Anju George
Baby Ester as Anu George
Kalabhavan Shajon as Constable Sahadevan
Siddique as Prabhakar
 Asha Sarath as IG Geetha Prabhakar
Aneesh G Menon as Rajeesh
Roshan Basheer as Varun Prabhakar
Neeraj Madhav as Monichan
Irshad as SI Suresh Babu
Kunchan as Madhavan
Kozhikode Narayanan Nair as Sulaimanikka
BaijuV.K as Soman
P.Sreekumar as Rani's Father
Shobha Mohan as Rani's Mother
Koottickal Jayachandran as Murali
Kalabhavan Rahman as Bus Conductor
Kalabhavan Haneef as Theatre Operator
Antony Perumbavoor as Antony
Balaji
Pradeep Chandran

 Credits also to those uncredited in the Wiki page, the light boys, spot boys, drivers, caterers, make up man etc & also theaters, poster men, security, fans, audience, internet fans etc

Few articles about Drishyam

Drishyam sets another record !!

Drishyam completes 50 Glorious days - Exclusive Report

Drishyam - All Time Blockbuster - Exclusive 27 days Box Office Update

Jeethu Joseph clears the air about Drishyam controversy

Drishyam breaking records in Home Video sales too !

After breaking 99.9% of Box Office records world wide, Drishyam, continues its victory march onto the Home Video Sales. The film has been available for pre-order for more than 3 weeks now and has already broke the existing pre-order records. The number of bookings has been of the roof and the Pre-order count is way way more than films like Pazhassi raja or Urumi or Twenty 20. Since the number of people buying CDs online is less compared to those buy from shops, once they hit the shops, is quite sure to set record for the most sold Malayalam movie in home video ever, thanks to the universal acceptance the movie has. There is also a steep increase in the number of non-Malayali buyers thanks to the glowing reviews and WOM on social medias and other internet platforms.

Usually the producer signs a '100 day (since theatrical release)' contract with the companies, after which they can release the movie on Home Video [or earlier in case of flops] because rarely a movie hits a genuine ton  in theaters. In such cases the date can get shifted to 1/2 weeks based on Producers request. But Drishyam which was supposed to release in March end was first postponed to April end. Now the movie is reaching 100 days tomorrow in about 40 centers, almost double of the previous best [which happened before wide release and multiplex era]. With summer vacation starting from tomorrow, there is chance of more theatrical revenue, so the Home Video release date has been pushed again to May.

Central Home Videos will reelase Drishyam in VCD [Rs.80] , DVD [Rs.130, with English subtitles] & Bluray [Rs.700, with English subtitles] on May 5th, 2014 as per the latest information

Drishyam sets another record !!

 Breaking/Setting records has been child's play for Jeethu Joseph's Industry Hit Drishyam. The latest one to be set is that of completing 20 K shows. Drishyam is the first Malayalam film to complete 20,000 shows. The film that played the most shows previously was 'Twenty 20' which completed 18K+ shows. 

 Here is a list of records set by DRISHYAM (Credits to whoever compiled the list)

 1 Highest Grossing Malayalam Movie in 2013

2 Highest no of shows and collection in all major outside Kerala centers like Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai etc (still counting)

4 Biggest release in UAE (100+shows)

5 Highest Gross for a Malayalam movie outside kerala in a single theatre (Chennai Mayajaal)

6 Fastest to collect 50 lakhs in Thrissur

7 Fastest to enter 1 crore club in a centre (Ernakulam)

8 Fastest to enter 1 crore club in Calicut

9 Highest Paid Satellite Rights (6.5 Crore )

10 Movie to reach 2nd week in UK with House full shows

11 Fastest to cross 10 crore gross

12 1st Malayalam movie to play 2nd week in Gujarat

13 Highest no. of Housefull shows in Thrissur Center

 14 Highest Grossing Malayalam Movie in UK

15 Highest number of shows in Mumbai and New Delhi reaching 3rd

week

16 Only Malayalam movie to collect 1 crore from Multiplex alone (in a center)

17 First Malayalam Movie to collect 2 crores in a center (From EKM in 25 days)

18 Continuous four Houseful days in Canada

19 Fastest to cross 15 crore gross

20 The first Malayalam film to enter third week in both multiplexes in Mangalore

21 First Malayalam Movie to complete one month in Coimbatore SPI cinems

22 Highest Grossing Movie in Kottayam Center

23 Highest Collected Movie in GCC

24 Highest Grossing Movie in UK [1 crore +]

25 Record Collection in Attingal Center

26 Record Remake Rights to Hindi,Tamil,Telugu and Kannada has sold for 1.5 Crores

27 Record run and collection in Bahrain

30 Most No of Housefull Shows in Payyanur Center

31 Third Fastest Movie to cross 10000 Shows

32 Highest grosser in the history of Calicut

33 Drishyam entered 4th week in 5 screens in DELHI creating an All time record here

34 Biggest Release in Australia for a Malayalam Movie

35 Record Share in Kannur Center

36 Record Share in Chenganassery Center

37 1st Malayalam Movie to cross 5th week with 300+ shows/day

39 Record Share in Pala Center

40 Record Share in Kodungalloor Center

41  Record share in Anchal Center

44 Movie made the highest profit for a movie in Mollywood History

46 Widest Release in USA for a Malayalam Movie

47 Became the Highest Grossing Malayalam Movie breaking the record of 20-20 ( in just 31 days)

48 First Mollywood to cross 30 Crores Mark in Kerala alone

49 First Mollywood movie to make 50cr business from all avenues

50 First Mollywood movie to cross 1 cr gross in 7 centers!

51 First movie to cross 2 cr at Calicut!

52 First movie to collect over 3.5 crs at Ernakulam!

53 First Molywood movie to complete 50 days in 76 theaters and 71 centers!

54 Fastest Mollywood movie to cross 11k,12k,13k,14k,15k,17k, 20k shows

55 First Solo male lead star Mollywood movie to cross 16k shows

56 Broken all existing records in almost all centers in kerala.

57 First Mollywood movie to cross 1500 shows in UAE

58 First Mollywood movie to collect 1 crore each in USA and UK

59 Most no of shows for a Malayalam Movie in Hyderabad,Mumbai and Chennai

60 most no.of show per day in 2nd,3rd,4th,5th,6th,7th ,8th week

61 First Mollywood Movie to have 300+ shows/day in 5 weeks...

62 In Bahrain, First Mollywod Movie with highest no of shows,HF Shows,

Highest Gross and Share.First South

Indian Movie to play in 3 theatres at

a time

63. First Malayalam movie to cross 20,000 shows from Kerala alone

 Magazine scan of the list of records [Credits to Vellinakshathram]

Mohanlal's 'Mr.Fraud' commenced filming by setting multiple records !!

 Mr.Fraud will be Mohanlal's next (big summer) release after the mighty blockbuster 'Drishyam'. B Unnikrishnan - Mohanlal team that gave you super hits like Madambi, Grandmaster reunites in this project.

Only few days into filming, Mr.Fraud is already creating waves. The audio rights of the film has been sold to a record sum according to the director.

Unnikrishnan Bhaskaran Pillai

Mr. Fraud's shoot in full swing. We are going to shoot the first song tomorrow. Very happy to say that Techzone , after listening to the album, has obtained Fraud's audio right for a whopping price: perhaps the biggest price an album fetched in last five years. Gopi, Hari Narayanan, Sankar Mahadevan, Sudeep and Sithara...guys, you rock!

There are also rumors that Sony Music will be entering Mollywood via Mr.Fraud.

The makers also released the teaser, featuring Mohanlal, on the very second day he joined the sets, perhaps a first time in Indian (or may be world) cinema. The teaser has been receiving rocking response from all over, which has been viewed over 85,000 times in a single day, a record for Malayalam films. The view count has gone above 1 lakh views by now. The teaser was also trending in YouTube.

The film is currently red hot in the trade due to Drishyam factor and UKB-Lal combo. So all the rights are expected to be sold at record or close to record prizes. Film will be completed in one schedule and is expected to release on May 1st/8th.

Mr.Fraud is a heist film written and directed by B Unnikrishnan. It stars Mohanlal, ev Gill (Magadheera Fame), Siddique, Saikumar, Vijayakumar( Veteran Tamil actor), Rahul Madhav, Suresh Krishnna, Vijay Babu, Sreeraman, Devan, Sathaar, ,Biju Pappan, Arjun ( Grand Master fame), Aswin ( Vedivazhipad Fame) Mia, Manjari Phadnis ( Grand Masti, Jane Tu..Ya Jaane Na Fame), Pallavi Chandran (Silence Fame) etc..

Produced by Medimix Anoop & distributed by Aashirvad Cinemas through Maxlab

ev Gill (Magadheera Fame), Siddique, Saikumar, Vijayakumar( Veteran Tamil actor), Rahul Madhav, Suresh Krishnna, Vijay Babu, Sreeraman, Devan, Sathaar, ,Biju Pappan, Arjun ( Grand Master fame), Aswin ( Vedivazhipad Fame) Mia, Manjari Phadnis ( Grand Masti, Jane Tu..Ya Jaane Na Fame), Pallavi Chandran (Silence Fame) - See more at: http://www.thecompleteactor.com/news/21/This+Vishu+with+%22Mr+Fraud%22.html#sthash.66X5LYcy.dpuf

The cinematography of the film is handled by Satheesh Kurup (Pranayam, Anwar,etc) music by Gopi Sunder & lyrics by Chittor Gopi & Hari Narayanan. Manoj will do the editing while Joseph Nellickal is the production designer. Stunt Silva (Mankatha, Jilla, Veeram) will do the action choreography and Dance Choreography will be by Shobi.

The cinematography of the film is handled by Satheesh Kurup (Pranayam, Anwar,etc) while the music is done by Gopi Sundar under the lyrics of Chittor Gopi & Hari Narayanan. Manoj handles the editing while Joseph Nellickal is the production designer of the film. The Stunt Choreography is done by Stunt Silva (Mankatha,Jilla) and the Dance Choreography is by Shobi. - See more at: http://www.thecompleteactor.com/news/25/Mr+Fraud+to+start+rolling+from+Feb+6th.html#sthash.vrsh2B3s.dpuf

The cinematography of the film is handled by Satheesh Kurup (Pranayam, Anwar,etc) while the music is done by Gopi Sundar under the lyrics of Chittor Gopi & Hari Narayanan. Manoj handles the editing while Joseph Nellickal is the production designer of the film. The Stunt Choreography is done by Stunt Silva (Mankatha,Jilla) and the Dance Choreography is by Shobi. - See more at: http://www.thecompleteactor.com/news/25/Mr+Fraud+to+start+rolling+from+Feb+6th.html#sthash.vrsh2B3s.dpuf

First Look Teaser 

Drishyam completes 50 Glorious days - Exclusive Report

 Drishyam which released on December 19, 2013, completes 50 days of run today in Kerala few centers outside Kerala. It has not only become the biggest grosser & hit ever in the 85 year long history of Malayalam Cinema, has also sort of created record for setting/breaking more records than any other movie.
What ever be the records, all of them were set in record time too.

Drishyam released in about 85 theaters in Kerala and is still continuing in about 71 theaters. The film has completed (or will by this weekend) about 21,000 shows worldwide.The film has crossed 3 crore mark in Ernakulam city alone, 2cr from Calicut city, 1cr from Trivandrum, Thrissur etc and close 1cr mark in Palakkad, Kollam, Kottayam etc. The film has set records in every single center that it has released.

Total Gross from Kerala alone has crossed 30 crore mark, with 5-6 crores expected from Rest of the world. Adding satellite, video & music rights the total revenue should be around 43-44 crores. Even though its still running in many theaters, can't expect the total revenue to touch 50 crore mark, or it might just do it, looking at the rush at main centers this past weekend. 

The remake's have already began pre- pre-production talks. Tamil version will directed by Jeethu himself with Kamal Haasan playing the lead. Crazy Star Ravichandran - P Vasu combo in Kannada. Victory Venkitesh will be doing the Telugu version and rumors says Ajay Devgn might do Hindi version.

Kerala Box Office : Top 5 Movies in Dec - Jan

Kerala Box Office : Top 5 Movies in Dec - Jan

Here's the Box Office update of films that did well during the months of December (2013) & January (2014) @ Kerala Box Office

1. Drishyam

Enough has been said about the film already. With about 30 crores gross, from Kerala, in 46 days the film is the biggest Malayalam hit ever. It also becomes the first Malayalam film to earn more than 40 crore [including all kinds of revenues]

 All Time Blockbuster - Industry Hit

2. Oru Indian Pranayakadha

The only Malayalam film to survive the 'Drishyam onslaught'. The film has a mega hit run @ most of its centers. Sathyan Anthikkadu factor, Perfomances of Fahad-Amala and Drishyam returns helped the film to reach success levels. 

Super Hit

3. Jilla

The film took the biggest ever opening in Kerala, but then fell due to average WOM. Life time gross expected to be around 9 crores.

Above Average - Safe for distributor [If Distribution rights were 'sold' for 3.5cr, Super Hit if its instead of Mohanlal's revenue]

4. Dhoom 3 

According to reports Dhoom 3 is the biggest Bollywood grosser in the state. The film continued at almost all centers in 2nd week and made come backs at few centers 2 weeks later.

All Time Blockbuster

5. Veeram

Even though film got good reports it didn't translate into collection.

Average - Loss for distributor

Fate of Other Notable Releases

Silence - Flop

Salala Mobiles - Disaster

Ezhu Sundara Rathrikal - Disaster considering theatrical revenues, but the producers covered all expenses from non-theatrical avenues even before the release

1983 - Released on Jan 31, took average opening but reports are extremely positive

37th Atlas-Kerala Film Critics awards 2014 - Complete Winners List

 

37th Atlas-Kerala Film Critics awards 2014 - Complete Winners List

The Kerala Film Critics Association Awards are presented annually by the Kerala Film Critics Association to honor both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the Malayalam language film industry of India. The awards were instituted in 1977.

 Best Film - Drishyam

Second best film - Ayal

Best Popular Film - Amen

Best children’s film - Philips and the Monkey Pen

Special Jury Awards -  Orissa, Kunthapura, Vasanthathinte Kanalvazhikal, Pakaram

 Best Director - Jeethu Joseph (Drishyam)

Best Debut Directors - Sajin Sabu (Asthamayam Vare), Abin Jacob (Thomson Villa), Krishnajith (Flat No. 4b), Vinod Kumar (Test Paper)

Mala Aravindan, TG Ravi, MJ Joseph - Life Time Achievement award

Best Actor - Mohanlal (Drishyam)

Best Actress - Remya Nambeeshan (English) 

Second Best Actor - Mukesh (English, Vasanthathinte Kanalvazhikal)

Second Best Actress - Mallika (Kathaveedu)

Best child actor- Sanoop  (Philips and the Monkey Pen)

Best Debut actor -  Niranjay (Black Butterfly)

Best Screenplay - P Ananthapadmanabhan (August Club)

Best Lyrics - Prabhavarma, Madhu Vasudevan (Nadan)

Best Music Director - Ratheesh Vega (Orissa)

Best Singer (Male) - Najeem Arshad (Drishyam, Immanuel)

Best Singer (Female) - Jyotsana (Zachariyayude Garbhinikal)

Best Cinematography - Udayan Ambadi (English)

Best editing  - Sobin K Soman (Ayal)

Best Sound Designer - Tapas Nayik (Nadan)

Best Art Director - Saburam (Memories, Drishyam)

Best costume designer -  S B Satheesh (Daivathinte Swantham Cleetus)

Best make up - Ranjith Ambadi ((Daivathinte Swantham Cleetus, Teens)

Best Book on Cinema -  Drishyaharshathinte Samayarekhakal (P S Radhakrishnan)

  Special Jury mention - 'Kodambakam - Black and White' (P K Sreenivasan)

 

Best Article on Cinema - Manninte Manamulla Eenangal’ (V Lisi Mathews, published in Grandhalokam magazine)

Special Jury mention - 'Vamshanasham Sambhavikunavarekurichulla Kapada Vilapangal' (Chacko D Anthikad)

Drishyam crosses 'T20' to become the biggest Malayalam grosser ever

Till December 19th, when compared to 2012, 2013 has been a little off color as far as Malayalam Industry was concerned. But a small film released on December 19th that created a havoc @ Box Office around the world. Which ever theaters started screening the film haven't stopped since.

When the last updates came in the film was already the 2nd biggest hit of all time. Today, exactly a month after its release the makers have come up with the official declaration that the film has indeed broken the record set by 'Twenty 20' [the mega multi starrer which featured the entire Malayalam film industry] in less than half the time. T20 had a distributor share of about 10.5 crore from Kerala alone which is what Drishyam over took. The film has also broke records at almost every center in Kerala, or will do in the coming few days.

The film got even bigger reception outside Kerala. Plenty of families returning due to the limited shows getting sold out within minutes. So more centers were added in UK, USA etc and the film also released in territories like Germany.

The film also leads in terms of the returns on investment, being made under 5 crore. The overseas [may be Rest of India too] are sold out right, so the producer won't benefit the fantastic run, but any way the film opens new markets, brought audiences who we never knew existed to theaters and more importantly became a lifeline for the B class theaters in Kerala who were on the verge of closure.

A truly remarkable feat indeed considering all the aspects .....

Legendary Tamil Director K. Balachandar about Mohanlal's Drishyam

Legendary Tamil Director K. Balachandar on Mohanlal's Drishyam

The letter was shared by Director Jeethu Joseph & Mohanlal via their Facebook pages

To TEAM DHRISHYAM...

“DHRISHYAM”....................................... ............MAMA UDDISHYAM

Perspective… ….My Feelings….

"Cleverness is Instinctive...Intelligence more Deep Rooted."

The cleverness of DHRISHYAM is in the inspiration...the intelligence is in the astonishing adaptation...

The cleverness is in the understanding of the potential of purer cinema..the intelligence is in not underestimating the intelligence of the viewer...

The cleverness is in using flash cuts and forwards to narrate...the intelligence is in the complex simplicity behind the screenplay....

The cleverness is in using layer upon layer of credible situations to sustain the Interest...the intelligence is in allowing the story to unravel at its own pace...never hurrying...never compromising...

The cleverness is in subtly taking sides with the protagonist...the intelligence is in making the affected police officer as strong and as credible...

The cleverness is in using film clips to influence the hero, and benefit the cause adding value and credibility; saving precious narration time...the intelligence is setting the film in a rural ambiance even as it uses the genetic simplicity and geographic naivety to establish character credibility...

The cleverness is using the same speed for flashback narration as in the linear...the intelligence is in letting the intelligence of the DGP unravel the cleverness of the plot and not by using it as a gimmick to glorify the hero…

Ram rod straight... ...her voice low, her eyes hard, she guesses the scam...and with a teeth bittenbitterness- spits out -...DHRISHYAM...just a word...but it emphatically conveyed her fear, of her confidence slowly wilting...no change in frame speed, no underlined attention…
yet that MOMENT stayed...a perfect DHRISHYAM MOMENT...

MOHANLAL.... my salaam.........my salute.......

His show of apprehension is transient -a mere hint of a frown...anxiety has a deeper identity...in the darkness beneath the eyes...

His awareness is based on the danger of reality…it is conveyed by just a deeper breath or a small shifting of the eye...but his assurance based on hope...is conveyed by a hug...drawing courage as well as giving it...

"I PROMISE YOU THAT YOU WONT GO TO JAIL."
not shouted...just whispered...not as information…but as a conviction...just one sentence...said in one particular way...and the hero seems ten feet tall...
No six packs...no designer suits…no low angles...no trumpets or roll of drums...one sentence...and a thrilling heroism established…
Purpose in the set of his jaw...in the tilt of his chin, protection provided in the unhurried push of the shoulder to shield...are nuances that you will find in no acting manual, or in any film archive…they are the mannerisms that distinguish George Kutty-that simple Christian soul who only wishes to guard his adored family...
Strange-he bears an uncanny resemblance to that swash buckling Malayalam super star Mohanlal...just a resemblance...this of course, is a simple village man…
Even a sigh is not completed...in case it is a giveaway...it is just thought about...no looking over the shoulder...no unnecessary hang dog expressions...no sadness except a sort of tired weariness...this too justcontemplated…
the wife speaks out of turn…the cop pounces...the hero in a blink casually saves the day...the cops leave...she holds him...contrite…I DID WRONG ?
his eyes are far away...his brain is ticking...his mind is busy...
YES...he says…YOU DID WRONG...his eyes still far away…
the voice agrees with her mistake...
the TONE of the voice assures...ITS OK, DONT WORRY...
Brilliance inhistrionics is sometimes just an inflection and a gentle pause before speaking...

The DGP resigns...she has lost the battle, as well as the war...
she is destroyed...personally and professionally...
yet she is still ram rod straight, even without the identity of her uniform...or the authority of her position…for she is yet the tough cop...for as she says “we have had training you know “ and that shows…
hersaree perfectly creased…her pallu clipped...her hair in place...her face carved in stone...the cop...
but the mother’s eyes carry the pain...reluctantly...deep…that she does not want to show…
the husband pleads on behalf of them both...they turn...they stop...they listen to their deepest fears...they just walk away...sad...
the hero does too…somehow it seems as if he is more sad...
scenes like these cannot be written, rehearsed or taught...
-they are cinematic miracles...they have to be felt…and they just happen...
-there is not a single frame or dialogue where one is informed that the hero is right...or even that he is doing wrong...
when the crime is unavoidable...guilt is debatable..
yet one gets to comprehend that responsibility to protect family makes the sin lesser...
one family wins...the other does not win...
to convey this with such uncomplicated finesse, unassuming clarity and a signature narrative style, you need a self-belief...as well as a confidence...in everything that you do...
that is DHRISHYAM...
The hero walks in to join his family to eat…on the way he switches off an unnecessarily light...no word...just a DHRISHYAM MOMENT...and the prudence of the man is established .
No caricatures only characters…no romance only love...no comedy just humour...no enemies just adversaries...no egos just pride...no music heard just felt...no punishment just justice…no doubts just trust...no betrayals just loyalties...no cosmetics just substance...no puerile glamour just perfect cinema grammar…
...every knot is woven seamlessly in the screenplay...and as the film unfolds…each gripping mystery unravels and the viewer is so engrossed that a tension grips the mind…interpretation of a character is possible only if the personality is perfectly defined right from his walk...clothes...diction...body language...gestures...mannerisms...Drishyam is an example of how wonderfully the artistes and the director are in tune...personally...and in sync professionally...
Mr.Joseph…your versatile coat has many magnificent colours...
Third degree...the police officer in her orders it...the mother in her is unforgivably unkind... but the woman in her- for just an instant-winces... or so it seems…or so she should…a sub-conscious DHRISHYAM MOMENT
She has to be in control…it is her nature…or maybe it is her training...she sees it slipping...she is seething...no words...no grimace...not even a frown…yet it is felt…the despondency is silently visual...a precocious DHRISHYAM moment...AAHA ASHA!

Suave and sophisticated...sensible yet sensitive...unobtrusiveyet prominent...SIDDIQUE is simply superb as if he has saved his scoring for the final overs...a whiff of perfume that compliments the fragrance of DHRISHYAM...
SABASH SIDDIQUE...

The opening shots roll back...the hero is safe...he has kept his word to his loved ones…no expression of satisfaction…no relieved gesture…cut to present...a new officer challenges...the trauma is still not over…
the hero does not react…he answers softly, firmly, politely even humbly...
some questions and knots are unanswered...intercuts...to hero’s face…
flash backs...the mystery slowly unravels...there is a huge sigh of relief…from the audience…nothing from the character...but it is there...suspended suppressed... on the edge of his consciousness...
The hero walks towards camera...just that dead pan face...no hint of a smile even...no swagger...no hype...he is just a simple man...trying to lead a simple life...
HE WILL DO ANYTHING TO PROTECT HIS FAMILY…
Or so the scenes seems to shout... but in silence...another vociferous DHRISHYAM MOMENT...
It is such moments, such speaking silences, such wise visuals, such engulfing emotions, such humble heroism, such pregnant thunder, such taut tenderness, such exceptional performances, such captivating lighting resolutions...such clever intelligence- that makes DHRISHYAM one of the most gripping and compelling motion pictures I have ever seen...
He is just a simple man...trying to lead a simple life...the film fades...the credits happen...there is thunderous applause...and then -…SABASH...I heara cry...
surprised...or maybe not…that it is from ME...
triumph can be very personal...victory is more general...
DHRISHYAM is a personal triumph for Mohanlal...there cannot be too many actors of his calibre in world cinema today...
DHRISHYAM is a universal victory, not merely for Malayalam cinema...but indeed for Indian cinema...
Sometimes success has no formula...has no precedent.

It is instinctive - sometimes just a gut feeling...

OF TEAM DHRISHYAM... WHAT GUTS!!!!!!!

God bless you all.

Jai Hind.

K.BALACHANDAR